Longtime Professor to Sign Copies of Colorado State History Book at Csu Bookstore Dec. 5

Emeritus history professor James Hansen will be signing copies of his newly released book "Democracy’s University: A History of Colorado State University, 1970-2003" between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Colorado State University Bookstore in the Lory Student Center.

Hansen’s latest book is the second volume of work documenting Colorado State’s rich history. In his latest installment, he presents an incisive, meticulously researched narrative in 25 chapters that takes readers through tumultuous times, successes and special challenges.

"This book is an attempt to look at Colorado State as a microcosm of American society," Hansen said.

"Democracy’s University" recounts the catastrophic flood of July 1997, which caused millions of dollars in damage. The book also examines the socially concerned students of the early 1970s as well as the students of the 1980s, who came to be known as the "Me Generation."

Hansen also provides detailed profiles of individual students, like Mary Ontiveros, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the 1970s. Hansen connects Ontiveros’ experiences at Colorado State to the backdrop of social activism happening on campuses across the country during the early 1970s.

"One of the most satisfying aspects of writing this book was that it enabled me to obtain a fuller appreciation of Colorado State’s faculty, administrators, and support personnel," Hansen said. "Many of them are truly first-rate people."

Hansen was a history professor at Colorado State for more than 30 years before retiring in 2002. As the university’s historian, he established the University Archives and the Colorado Agricultural Archives. He also helped to establish a highly respected public history master’s degree program. During his career, he has authored or assisted more than a half-dozen publications about Colorado State.

BOOK INFORMATION: "Democracy’s University: A History of Colorado State University, 1970-2003," $27, by James E. Hansen, Colorado State University, 2007, hardbound, 444 pages, University Press of Colorado.

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